Ranchi, Mar 19 (PTI) Cheteshwar Pujara frustrated
Australia in his record stay at the crease while closing in on
his third double ton as India reached 503 for 6 in their first
innings to take a 52-run lead at tea on day four of the third
cricket Test here today.

Pujara became the first Indian to face more than 500
balls in an innings as he got past his 'role model' Rahul
Dravid's 12-year-old record of a longest innings in terms of
balls faced.

Dravid had faced 495 balls for his 270 against Pakistan
in April 2004.

Pujara (batting 190) has so far faced 505 deliveries and
has hit 20 boundaries as he remained 10 runs short of a third
double century at the tea break.

Number eight Saha (batting 99), on the other end, was one
run shy of his third Test century as the duo put together 175
runs for the unbroken seventh wicket as Australia went
wicketless for yet another session.

Pujara batted more than five sessions in his unbeaten
innings, spanning 10 hours and 53 minutes, as his showed his
love for occupying the crease for long hours.

The 29-year-old Pujara, who has three triple first-class
tons to his name, remained focused throughout and restrained
himself from playing any risky shot which was the hallmark of
his innings.

In a partnership reminiscent of their 316-run unbroken
second wicket stand in Rest of India's Irani Cup match earlier
this year, Pujara and Saha looked tireless and denied the
Australians success after India resumed the day on 390/6 under
overcast conditions.

Australia took the new ball after lunch with Josh
Hazlewood and Pat Cummins bowling in tandem but Pujara and
Saha's patient approach on an eased-out wicket continued to
elude them the breakthrough.

Hosting its maiden Test, the JSCA International Stadium
track surprisingly did not offer any assistance to the bowlers
on the fourth day and the Indian duo did not mind a bit.

It remains to be seen when India takes the declaration
call.

The Australians also went wicketless in the morning
session with Pujara and Saha making them toil hard.

If their dogged partnership was not enough, India piled
misery on the Australians who were unsuccessful twice while
using referrals -- when Saha was on 19 and Pujara on 157 -- in
the morning.

Australia were left frustrated when their review for a
catch off a sweep shot of Saha in the last over before lunch
was also overturned.